Garment storage receptacle and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A receptacle for protectively storing at least one brassiere includes a garment support deck and a pair of brassiere cup support members. Each of the support members is rotatable with respect to the support deck and is coupled to the support deck during storage of at least one brassiere. In preferred form, the support members are rotatable relative to the support deck so that non-concentrically positioned domed-shaped contacting surfaces of the support members can be moved toward and away from each other to correspond to the natural distance between the cups of the brassiere(s). In one embodiment, the support deck defines two sets of apertures disposed in corresponding, approximately circular patterns and each of the support members includes a set of protrusions extending from a bottom surface thereof that are adapted to be removably connected within a corresponding set of the apertures defined by the support deck.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/293,089, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,291, and hereby claims priority upon such co-pending application under 35 U.S.C. § 120.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to storage devices. More particularly, the invention relates to devices which store and protect clothing garments in a state which conforms to the shape of the garment as-worn and, hence, simulates the condition of the garment when it is worn by the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The problems associated with maintaining the structural integrity of clothing garments during storage and/or travel are well known. The useful life of a garment can be extended if the garment is not subjected to undo wrinkling, crushing, and rubbing against other garments and articles.

Ordinarily, when either storing a clothing article in a drawer or on a shelf, or in a suitcase for travel, the garment is simply placed, or in some cases forcibly shoved, into its storage position where it is in contact with other articles of clothing and the like. Furthermore, it is typically not oriented in its as-worn shape. As a result, the garment becomes prematurely aged.

Likewise, in the display of clothing articles for sale, it is desirable to position the articles in such a way that they can be viewed in the shape which they are in when worn, yet protected from being damaged or otherwise affected by shoppers handling them.

Various attempts have been made in the past to address these issues. One example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,013 to Mayer, which discloses an intimate garment protector for protecting a bra during laundering. The device is comprised of first and second cup-shaped basket members adapted to receive the cup portions of a bra. The bra is sandwiched between the first and second basket members in the washing process to protect the shape and contour of the bra.

Another example of a device for protecting the shape of an item of wearing apparel is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,531 to Schoonover. Schoonover discloses a form-retaining holder for a visored cap. The holder has an upper shell and a lower shell, which fit together in a nested configuration and serve to maintain the shape of the cap.

Another attempt to address the foregoing appears in U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,476 to Schwartz, in which is disclosed a brassiere display package formed from two transparent sheet members that are secured together with the bra disposed there between. The sheets have nested cup portions integrally formed therein to hold the bra cups. The nested cup portions are formed so as to be slightly outwardly distended to simulate the appearance of the bra when it is worn. Schwartz, however, does not permit storage of a plurality of different sized bra cups, nor does it permit storage of a plurality of bras at one time.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,190,435 to Schlanger discloses a garment retainer package for packaging, shipping, displaying, and storing bras. Schlanger utilizes nested transparent cups. However, the device of Schlanger is designed to retain the bra in a single cup, with the bra folded in half and the straps folded within one of the cups. Moreover, while the package does purport to illustrate the shape of one breast cup and thus serves to accurately display one cup, the package still does not give a true and accurate representation of how the brassiere will look in its actually worn condition. In other words, the package does not support the brassiere with the brassiere cups in a laterally-spaced and tensioned relation to each other. Also, the construction of the Schlanger device requires that one of the bra cups be capable of being inverted so as to be disposed in nested relation with respect to the other one of said bra cups prior to the closing of the package.

None of the prior art known to the applicants herein discloses a storage container for protecting articles of clothing, and in particular brassieres, in an as-worn condition and shape, permitting a variety of different sized brassieres to be stored simultaneously or singularly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a receptacle or retainer/holder for articles of clothing that retains those articles of clothing in an as-worn shape and protects those articles of clothing from undesired and premature wear and tear. The invention, for example but not by way of limitation, is particularly suitable for use in connection with brassieres.

A particular form of the invention illustrated herein includes a brassiere storage receptacle comprised of upper and lower housing halves, which may or may not be hinged together, and one or more pairs of convex bra cup receiving supports adapted to be rotatably received by the housing lower half. The upper and lower housing halves, along with the supports, form an interior space for storing brassieres.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the cup receiving supports are inverted such that the outer surface of the brassiere cups contact interior surfaces of the cup receiving supports with the upper housing half being closeable about the lower housing half so as to enclose the stored brassiere within an interior space defined by the upper and lower housing halves. The upper housing half preferably forms a flat surface which permits the stacking of two or more brassiere receptacles one on top of the other.

The housing halves are preferably constructed of vacuum formed material such as thin gauge sheet-like plastic, which is preferably clear to facilitate viewing of the garments therein, but also may be made of opaque materials, including cardboard or any other material that will occur to those of skill in the art.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the receptacle is formed of semi-rigid neoprene, reinforced neoprene, or other suitably semi-flexible covering material out of which the clothing article receptacle of the invention is formed. In this embodiment, the cup receiving supports are integrally formed with the housing. Consequently, this third embodiment is a one-size-fits-all version of the invention since the cup supports do not have interchangeable sizes. In one configuration, the third embodiment of the invention is comprised of upper and lower halves that are hinged together by a live hinge, the first and second housing halves being fastenable together by any convenient closure apparatus such as a zipper or hook and loop material. Preferably, the housing of this embodiment defines a large enough volume to fit up to three brassieres therein.

The invention provides a cost effective, simple-to-manufacture solution for the problem of premature aging of clothing articles.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a clothing storage receptacle that reduces the tendency of stored clothing articles to become permanently worn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a storage receptacle for a brassiere wherein the brassiere is disposed in its as-worn shape.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a brassiere storage receptacle that can store one or more brassieres in stacked relation within a single receptacle.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description viewed in connection with the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the lower housing half and the bra cup receiving supports rotatably mounted therein.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross sectional elevational views showing alternative support positions taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional elevational view of one bra cup support element.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a brassiere strap receiving post for use with the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional elevational view of a first alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the first alternative embodiment showing the lower housing half and brassiere cup-receiving supports rotatably mounted therein.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the third alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the third alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional front elevational view of the third alternative embodiment of the invention taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a base of a support member in accordance with a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the fourth alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, a first embodiment of the garment storage receptacle 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 is comprised of a lower housing half or garment support deck 12 hingedly connected to a top or cover 14 via hinge 15, which may be a living hinge or any other structure which will permit top 14 to move reciprocally about a rear edge 13 of lower housing half 12 between an open position shown in FIG. 5 and a closed position shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Alternatively, top and bottom housing portions 12 and 14 may be releasably coupleable without being hinged. A pair of left and right brassiere cup support elements 16, 18 is employed. Supports 16, 18 are received within corresponding cup support receiving openings 17, 19 defined by deck 12.

Elements 16, 18, one of which is shown in FIG. 3, are each comprised of a domed member 30, sized and shaped to simulate the shape of a brassiere cup, and connected to a disc-shaped base 32. Base 32 is circularly shaped as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Dome members 30 of support elements 16 and 18 are rigidly and/or integrally connected to base members 32 in a non-concentric orientation, such that rotation of bases 32 within corresponding cutouts 17, 19 of deck 12 will cause center lines C1 and C2 to move relative to each other, as can be seen through a comparison of FIGS. 2A and 2B. In this way, a brassiere positioned with its cups laid atop members 30 can be oriented in the most desired shape by spacing center lines C1 and C2 apart from each other by a distance which corresponds to the spacing of the cups of the brassiere (not shown).

Bases 32 are preferably provided with a constant diameter X2, but the radius Y will be different to correspond to each of the different cup sizes “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, etc. It is to be understood that the contour of dome members 30 may be other than spherical. The shape chosen will function suitably so long as it is rounded.

Top 14 defines a lower flared flange 15 which is adapted to nest in interfitting engagement with a peripheral edge E of deck 12. The interfitting connection therebetween may be a snap fit, interference fit, or any suitable closure arrangement which will permit a user to maintain the device 10 in its closed orientation shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. When in its closed position as shown, lid 14, deck 12, and supports 30 define an interior volume V in which the clothing article, e.g. brassiere, is stored.

Cut outs 17, 19 define corresponding annular grooves 42, 44 in which corresponding shoulders 46, 48 of bases 32 fit. The bases 32 may either be threadingly connected to deck 12 or may be connected (preferably removably so as to permit interchanging of different cup size support members) via a lip (not shown) or other retention structure.

Support posts 80 with corresponding transverse support prongs 82 permit the organized placement of clothing articles within volume V. Posts 80 may, as shown in FIG. 4, utilize a dowel-like connector 81 adapted to fit into corresponding apertures 86 defined by deck 12. For example, posts 80 and support arms 82 may be used to drape bra straps thereover so that the brassiere can be maintained in a wrinkle-free condition within device 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, each center line C1 and C2 can be translated by rotation of support members 16, 18 by a distance D1 minus D2 by rotating members 16 and 18 through an arc of 180°, which is designed with respect to the invention to be suitable for accommodating essentially all brassiere constructions. In so doing, supports 16 and 18 can be moved toward and away from each other by the distance 2 (D1−D2).

Rotating supports 16 and 18 any amount less than 180° will cause the spacing between centerlines C1 and C2 to be increased or decreased less than the maximum distances of 2 (D1−D2)

Support members 16, 18 may come in a variety of different sizes to correspond to “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, etc, brassiere cup sizes. Device 10 may be provided as a kit containing a variety of interchangeable differently sized support elements 16, 18 in which the radius of curvature Y corresponds to the particular bra cup size “A”, “B”, “C”, etc.

Lid 14 forms a generally planar surface upon which additional devices 10 or other items may be stacked.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, wherein a garment storage receptacle 100 is shown, comprised of a base or deck 112 to which is hingedly attached a top or lid 115 along a rear edge 113, and a pair of brassiere cup support elements or members 116, 118 rotatably-adjustably connected to deck 112. In this embodiment, the brassiere is placed in face-down manner against interior surfaces of domed support members 130 of support elements 116, 118. The outward facing surfaces of brassiere cup B contact the interior surface of elements 130. One or more brassieres can be stored in this fashion.

Support members 116, 118 are rotatably received within corresponding cut outs 117, 119, respectively, of deck 112 Rotation of members 116, 118 within cutouts 117, 119 cause the center lines C3, C4 thereof to move toward and away from each other as described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 5.

A centrally-disposed concave depression 126 may be employed in connection with lid 114 to lend to the structural rigidity of the overall device 100. Preferably, depression 126 contacts deck segment 112 as well as the bottoms of bases 132 of support members 116, 118. Obvious modifications to or variation on this rigidyfying structure are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.

Flange 121 of lid 114 is adapted to fit over edge 138 of deck 112 and remain detachably secured thereabout as discussed in connection with FIGS. 1-5.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a second alternative embodiment of the invention. Comprising a base member 150 hingedly connected to a lid 160 via a live hinge 162. Base 150 and lid 160 in this embodiment are manufactured of a resilient, semi-rigid material such as a neoprene-based composite similar to that used in the overnight kits provided by most major airlines on international flights.

Base 150 defines a pair of supports 175, which function in the manner of supports 30 shown in FIGS. 1-5, but with the exception that they are fixed to base 150. A closure, such as zipper 180, may be employed to attach lid 160 to base 150 when the device is closed. In this way, garments stored therein are protected during travel. This embodiment provides a light weight yet durable garment storage receptacle in accordance with this invention.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the device is essentially a one piece semi-resilient, semi-rigid housing. A pair of lower and upper hingedly connected halves 214, 212, the lower half 212 defining a pair of brassiere cup supports 216, 218 adapted to support one or more brassieres (not shown). The housing 210 of this embodiment is preferably manufactured of a neoprene or other soft coating over or impregnated with a substrate material to retain the device. However, the device of this embodiment is ideally suitable as a travel receptacle for clothing articles such as brassieres, and as such should be light weight and somewhat flexible to facilitate fitting within a fully packed suitcase, garment bag, overnight bag, etc.

A closure mechanism such as zipper 220 may be employed to retain lower and upper housing halves 214, 212 in releasable connection with each other when the device is closed. Other closure structures such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, etc., are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13. In accordance with this embodiment, the garment storage receptacle 300 preferably includes a lower housing member or garment support deck 312 hingedly connected to a top housing member or cover 314 via a hinge (not shown), which may be a living hinge or any other structure, that will permit top 314 to move reciprocally about a rear edge of the lower housing portion 312 between an open position as shown in FIG. 13 and a closed position (not shown). Alternatively, top and bottom housing portions 312 and 314 may be releasably coupleable without being hinged.

The garment receptacle 300 also includes a pair of left and right brassiere cup support elements or members 316, 318. Each support element 316, 318 includes a respective domed member 330, which is sized and shaped to simulate the shape of a brassiere cup, connected to a respective base 332. Each base 332 is preferably circularly shaped as shown in FIG. 12. The domed members 330 of the support elements 316, 318 are rigidly and/or integrally connected to the base members 332 in a non-concentric orientation, in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the domed and base members 30, 32 depicted in FIGS. 1-5. The bottom surfaces 396, 398 of the support members 316, 318 have a plurality of dowels or other protrusions 397 disposed about a periphery thereof and extending outwardly therefrom. The inside surface of the garment support deck 312 defines two sets of approximately circularly-arranged protrusion receiving apertures 395 that are adapted to receive the protrusions 397 attached to the bases 332 of the support members 316, 318. The apertures 395 extend through the inside surface of the support deck 312, but need not extend through the entire thickness of the deck 312 in order to be effective. Rather, the apertures 395 in the support deck 312 may be integrally formed recesses or depressions of any geometry that do not go completely through the deck 312, but that are otherwise constructed to receive and retain the protrusions 397 emanating from the bottom surfaces 396, 398 of the bases 332 of the support members 316, 318.

To rotate each support element 316, 318 in accordance with this embodiment, the respective support element 316, 318 is lifted so that its protrusions 397 are removed from their associated receiving apertures 395. The support element 316, 318 can then be rotated to a desired position, at which time the support element 316, 318 is lowered such that the protrusions 397 are nested in their new receiving apertures 395 and coupled to the support deck 312. Alternatively, the support deck 312 may define a pair of cup support receiving cutouts (not shown, but similar to the cutouts 17, 19 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5), in which case the protrusion receiving apertures 395 would be defined by the bottom surfaces of the cutouts. The deck 312 may also optionally define additional apertures (e.g., similar to apertures 86) to facilitate the use of support posts 80 as also described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5.

Top 314 defines a lower flared flange 315, which is adapted to nest in interfitting engagement with a peripheral edge E of deck 312. The interfitting connection therebetween may be a snap fit, interference fit, or any suitable closure arrangement that will permit a user to maintain the device 300 in a closed orientation (not shown). When in its closed position, similar to that shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, lid 314, deck 312, and supports 330 define an interior volume in which the clothing article (e.g. brassiere) can be stored.

Various modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention, and it is understood that this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth hereinbefore. 

1. A garment storage receptacle comprising: a first housing member defining two sets of apertures disposed in corresponding, approximately circular patterns; and a pair of brassiere cup support members, each of the brassiere cup support members including a set of protrusions extending from a bottom surface thereof that are adapted to be removably connected within a corresponding set of the apertures defined by the first housing member.
 2. The garment storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein the brassiere cup support members are rotatable with respect to the first housing member.
 3. The garment storage receptacle of claim 1, further comprising a second housing member adapted to be placed in detachably secured engagement with the first housing member.
 4. The garment storage receptacle of claim 3, wherein the second housing member is hingedly connected to the housing member along corresponding edges thereof.
 5. The garment storage receptacle of claim 3, wherein the brassiere cup support members form convex raised projections extending from the first housing member toward the second housing member.
 6. The garment storage receptacle of claim 3, wherein the brassiere cup support members form concave depressed projections extending from the first housing member away from the second housing member.
 7. The garment storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein each of the brassiere cup support members includes a generally domed brassiere cup contacting element and a base element, the base element and the brassiere cup contacting element defining non-concentric circular peripheries.
 8. The garment storage receptacle of claim 1, further comprising at least one brassiere strap support connected to the second housing member.
 9. A receptacle for protectively storing one or more brassieres, comprising: a lower housing member defining two sets of apertures disposed in corresponding, approximately circular patterns; an upper housing member hingedly attached to the lower housing member and adapted to be moved between an open position and a closed position with respect to the lower housing member; and a pair of brassiere cup support members, each of the brassiere cup support members including a set of protrusions extending from a bottom surface thereof that are adapted to be removably connected within a corresponding set of the apertures defined by the lower housing member, the brassiere cup support members further including non-concentrically mounted brassiere cup receiving surfaces which are movable toward and away from each other by rotation of the brassiere cup support members with respect to the lower housing member.
 10. A garment storage receptacle comprising: a garment support deck; and a pair of brassiere cup support members, each of the brassiere cup support members being rotatable with respect to the garment support deck and being coupled to the garment support deck during storage of at least one brassiere.
 11. The garment storage receptacle of claim 10, wherein the garment support deck defines a pair of cutouts therein and wherein the brassiere cup support members are adapted to be removably connected within the pair of cutouts.
 12. The garment storage receptacle of claim 10, wherein the garment support deck defines two sets of apertures disposed in corresponding, approximately circular patterns and wherein each of the brassiere cup support members includes a set of protrusions extending from a bottom surface thereof that are adapted to be removably connected within a corresponding set of the apertures defined by the garment support deck.
 13. The garment storage receptacle of claim 10, wherein the brassiere cup support members form convex raised projections extending upward from the garment support deck.
 14. The garment storage receptacle of claim 10, wherein the brassiere cup support members form concave depressed projections extending downward from the garment support deck.
 15. The garment storage receptacle of claim 10, wherein each of the brassiere cup support members includes a generally domed brassiere cup contacting element and a base element, the base element and the brassiere cup contacting element defining non-concentric circular peripheries.
 16. The garment storage receptacle of claim 10, wherein each of the brassiere cup support members further includes non-concentrically mounted brassiere cup receiving surfaces that are movable toward and away from each other by rotation of the brassiere cup support members with respect to the garment support deck.
 17. A method for protectively storing one or more brassieres utilizing a garment storage receptacle that includes a first housing member defining two sets of apertures disposed in corresponding, approximately circular patterns and a pair of brassiere cup support members, each of the brassiere cup support members including a set of protrusions extending from a bottom surface thereof that are adapted to be removably connected within a corresponding set of the apertures defined by the first housing member, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one brassiere to be stored, the brassiere having brassiere cups spaced apart by a predetermined distance; placing the at least one brassiere in the garment storage receptacle in such a way that the brassiere cups at least partially cover the brassiere cup support members; and rotating the brassiere cup support members relative to the first housing member so that the brassiere cup support members are spaced by a distance corresponding to the predetermined distance by which the brassiere cups are spaced.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of rotating the brassiere cup support members relative to the first housing member precedes the step of placing the at least one brassiere in the garment storage receptacle.
 19. A method for protectively storing one or more brassieres utilizing a garment storage receptacle that includes a garment support deck and a pair of brassiere cup support members, each of the brassiere cup support members being rotatable with respect to the garment support deck and being coupled to the garment support deck during storage of the brassiere, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one brassiere to be stored, the brassiere having brassiere cups spaced apart by a predetermined distance; placing the at least one brassiere in the garment storage receptacle in such a way that the brassiere cups at least partially cover the brassiere cup support members; and rotating the brassiere cup support members relative to the garment support deck so that the brassiere cup support members are spaced by a distance corresponding to the predetermined distance by which the brassiere cups are spaced.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of rotating the brassiere cup support members relative to the garment support deck precedes the step of placing the at least one brassiere in the garment storage receptacle.
 21. A garment storage receptacle comprising: a first housing member; a second housing member hingedly connected to the first housing member and including an integrally formed pair of brassiere cup support members extending toward the first housing member, the brassiere cup support members being positioned a predetermined distance apart; and a closure mechanism that retains the first housing member and the second housing member in releasable connection with each other to fully enclose at least one brassiere placed upon the pair of brassiere cup support members. 